Chris Rock Net Worth (Money & Salary)

Chris Rock’s Net Worth and Salary

Chris Rock, the American comedian, actor, writer, producer, and director, has an estimated net worth of $60 million. His net worth could have been higher, but he reportedly lost as much as $40 million in a divorce settlement with his wife, Malaak Compton, after 20 years of marriage. Despite the setback, Chris Rock remains one of the highest-paid comedians in history. Over the past four decades, his standup performances have brought him significant earnings, with a single standup special earning him tens of millions of dollars. In a Comedy Central poll, he was ranked as the fifth-greatest stand-up comedian.

Chris Rock rose to fame through his work on “Saturday Night Live” in the early 1990s, although he had been involved in standup and minor acting roles for several years prior. Today, he is recognized as one of the most prominent comedic actors globally, known for his roles in various films such as “The Longest Yard” (2005), the “Madagascar” series (2005-2012), and “Grown Ups” (2010).

Some of Rock’s most successful films worldwide include:

• Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted (2012) – $746 million
• Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008) – $603 million
• Grown Ups (2010) – $271 million
• Grown Ups 2 (2013) – $247 million
• Madagascar (2005) – $532 million

Rock voiced the character of Marty the Zebra in all four Madagascar movies, which were highly profitable. He also co-wrote and starred in the “Grown Ups” movies with Adam Sandler, which were well-received by audiences despite mixed reviews from critics. Additionally, Rock created and produced the sitcom “Everybody Hates Chris,” loosely based on his own experiences, which aired for 88 episodes between 2005 and 2009.

Highest-Paid Comedian

During his tours, Chris Rock consistently ranks as one of the highest-paid comedians globally. For instance, between June 2016 and June 2017, he earned around $60 million, making him the highest-paid comedian of that period. In the subsequent year, from June 2017 to June 2018, Rock earned $30 million.

Netflix Special Payday

In a deal announced by Netflix on October 30, 2016, Chris Rock was paid $40 million ($20 million per special) for two new stand-up specials. The first, “Chris Rock: Tamborine,” was released on February 14, 2018, marking his return to concert specials after a decade. In another streaming event on March 4, 2023, Rock presented his third Netflix special, “Chris Rock: Selective Outrage,” which was performed live from Baltimore and streamed worldwide.

Early Life and Career

Born Christopher Julius Rock in Andrews, South Carolina, on February 7, 1965, Rock eventually settled in Brooklyn, New York, after several family moves. Growing up, Rock faced discrimination and bullying in predominantly white schools in Brooklyn, leading him to drop out of high school. He later obtained his GED while working in fast-food restaurants.

Rock delved into stand-up comedy in 1984 at Catch a Rising Star in New York City. His talent gradually gained recognition, leading to roles such as in the TV series “Miami Vice.” Notably, Eddie Murphy discovered Rock performing at a nightclub, befriended him, and offered him his first film role in “Beverly Hills Cop II” (1987).

Saturday Night Live and Comedy Success

In 1990, Rock joined the cast of Saturday Night Live (SNL) and became part of the renowned group dubbed the Bad Boys of SNL, alongside Chris Farley, Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider, and David Spade. His first comedy album, “Born Suspect,” was released in 1991, garnering acclaim for his portrayal of an addict in the film “New Jack City” the same year.

After two years on SNL, Rock transitioned to the African-American sketch show “In Living Color.” Subsequently, he wrote and starred in the comedy “CB4,” which achieved considerable success despite its modest budget. Rock’s HBO special “Bring the Pain” in 1996 earned him two Emmy Awards and solidified his reputation as one of America’s top comedians. He further gained fame as a commentator on Comedy Central’s “Politically Incorrect” during the 1996 Presidential Elections, receiving an Emmy nomination for his role.

Subsequent HBO specials such as “Bigger & Blacker” (1999) and “Never Scared” (2004) were lauded by Time and Entertainment Weekly as showcases of his comedic brilliance. Rock’s projects during this period, including award-winning comedy albums and his talk show “The Chris Rock Show,” added to his accolades, with multiple Emmy and Grammy wins. His fifth HBO special, “Kill the Messenger,” released in 2008, earned him another Emmy for exceptional writing.

Film Career

Rock’s success in comedy opened doors for him in leading roles in films like “Down to Earth” (2001), “Bad Company” (2002), “The Longest Yard” (2005), “Death at a Funeral” (2010), “Grown Ups” (2010), and “2 Days in New York” (2012). He also lent his voice to Marty the Zebra in the “Madagascar” franchise. Reflecting his diverse talents, Rock ventured into writing, directing, and producing his films, including “Head of State” (2003), “I Think I Love My Wife” (2007), and the critically acclaimed “Top Five” (2014). Additionally, he released a documentary titled “Good Hair” in 2009, exploring the perceptions and history of African American women’s hairstyles.

Other Projects and Ventures

Besides his work in films, Rock has experience as a television producer, having executive produced and narrated the series “Everybody Hates Chris,” which aired from 2005 to 2009. Loosely based on his teenage years, the show garnered a Golden Globe nomination in 2006 for Best TV Series (Musical).Among his many accolades, Chris Rock has received a 2006 People’s Choice Award for Favorite New Television Comedy and two 2006 Emmy Awards for costuming and cinematography for his work on “Everybody Hates Chris.” In addition to his acting and producing success on the show, Rock hosted both the 77^th and 88^th Academy Awards, drawing on his extensive comedy performance experience. Notably, known as “a dedicated cannabis consumer,” Rock invested in Lowell Herb Co., a cannabis brand in California in August 2019.

Will Smith Slap

In March 2022 at the Academy Awards, a memorable incident occurred when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock on stage in response to a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett. It wasn’t until a year later, during his live Netflix special on March 4, 2023, that Rock publicly addressed the matter, delivering a scathing critique of both Jada and Will Smith.

Personal Life

Rock tied the knot with Malaak Compton-Rock on November 23, 1996, and together they resided in New Jersey raising their two daughters born in 2002 and 2004. The couple’s marriage came to an end in December 2014 with Rock filing for divorce, citing infidelity and a porn addiction. The divorce was finalized in 2016, and Rock reportedly had to relinquish around $40 million worth of real estate and liquid assets to his ex-wife. Subsequently, in July 2022, reports emerged of Rock dating actress, screenwriter, and director Lake Bell.

Real Estate

During his stint on SNL in 1994, Rock purchased a residence in Brooklyn, New York. He later relocated to the suburbs with Malaak after living there for two years. Following their separation, Malaak remained in their sprawling 13,000-square-foot mansion in Alpine, New Jersey, purchased in 2001 for $3 million. The Brooklyn property was rented out until 2017 when it was put on the market for $3.25 million.